2013 Fantasy Football Sleeper: WR Steve Johnson

By Adam McGill

Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

In recent seasons, one of the most reliable wide receivers in all of fantasy football has been Buffalo Bills WR Steve Johnson. Johnson may not lead the NFL in receiving yards or catch over 15 touchdowns, but he has been unbelievably consistent in recent seasons.

Let’s take a look at Johnson’s last three seasons:

Year

GP

REC

TGTS

YDS

AVG

TD

2010

16

82

143

1,073

13.1

10

2011

16

76

135

1,004

13.2

7

2012

16

79

148

1,046

13.2

6

Johnson has been a model of consistency in an otherwise inconsistent offense. Buffalo finished 25th in passing yards (204.3 yards/game) last season, but Johnson still had another respectable fantasy campaign. You will be hard pressed to find a wideout that has put up three seasons that are this identical, and that kind of reliability in fantasy is ideal.

SJ averaged 90 receiving yards over his last three games of the 2012 season, including two 100-yard performances. He was constantly double-teamed down the stretch, but the receiver was still able to find room to operate downfield.

The team drafted WR Robert Woods in the second round (41st overall) in this past year’s draft to take some pressure off #13. Woods is an extremely polished wideout and the USC standout could step into a starting role opposite of Johnson as early as Week 1. His presence will give Johnson extra room to work and could help the veteran receiver have a career season in Western New York.

Johnson will be a reliable second fantasy starter in deeper leagues. If his previous stats have taught us anything, Johnson will be a safe bet to catch around 75 balls for 1,000 yards and at least six touchdowns. If Johnson is still available in the sixth round, I wouldn’t hesitate to add this veteran receiver.